Kershaw eager to put LA back in World Series driver's seat

HOUSTON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - The Dodgers refused to be pushed to the brink of World Series elimination on Saturday, beating Houston in Game Four to tie it up at 2-2, and LA ace Clayton Kershaw is looking forward to the challenge of trying to put his team back in the driver's seat.

Kershaw, arguably the best pitcher of his generation, delivered a lights-out performance in the World Series opener but will take the mound on Sunday with even more on the line after Saturday's 6-2 win left the series delicately poised.

"Everybody wants to be that guy to right the ship. So sometimes it will fall on me, for sure," said Kershaw. "I'm going to be ready to go, and looking forward to that challenge."

The Dodgers, competing in their first World Series since winning it in 1988, blew open a tight game on Saturday for a win that means the title will be decided on their home field.

Los Angeles have never really been on their heels all year until coming up against the Astros, who had gone seven games unbeaten at home in the postseason coming into Saturday.

After breezing through a regular season in which they spent 98 days on top of their division, the Dodgers eased past their first two playoff opponents, including a convincing win over the defending champion Chicago Cubs to reach the World Series.

24PHOTOS

The best photos from the 2017 World Series

See Gallery

The best photos from the 2017 World Series

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Logan Forsythe #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores a run on a RBI single hit by Enrique Hernandez #14 (not pictured) to tie the game 5-5 during the tenth inning as Brian McCann #16 of the Houston Astros is unable to make the tag in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Yasiel Puig #66 of the Los Angeles Dodgers licks his bat during the seventh inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Joc Pederson #31 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Oct 28, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Joc Pederson (31) hits a three-run home run against the Houston Astros in the 9th inning in game four of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 24: Dallas Keuchel #60 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game one of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 24, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Chris Taylor #3 of the Los Angeles Dodgers loses his hat as he attempts to catch a RBI single hit by Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros (not pictured) during the third inning in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Corey Seager #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Marwin Gonzalez #9 of the Houston Astros runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Carlos Correa #1 and Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrate after hitting solo home runs during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: Logan Forsythe #11 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores a run on a RBI single hit by Enrique Hernandez #14 (not pictured) to tie the game 5-5 during the tenth inning against the Houston Astros in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 25: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the eleventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game two of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 25, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Josh Reddick #22 of the Houston Astros slides in to home plate during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game three of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 27: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers scores on a wild pitch by Brad Peacock #41 of the Houston Astros during the sixth inning in game three of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 27, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 28: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts as he hits a RBI double during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros in game four of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros dives and fails to make a catch on a RBI triple by Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not pictured) during the seventh inning in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers gestures after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Houston Astros in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Oct 29, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger (35) climbs into the stands to catch a foul ball hit by Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (not pictured) in the 9th inning in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a game-winning single during the tenth inning against Kenley Jansen #74 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros celebrates with teammates after hitting a game-winning single during the tenth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Dodgers 13-12. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: Derek Fisher #21 of the Houston Astros slides in to home plate scoring the game winning run during the tenth inning against Austin Barnes #15 of the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. The Astros defeated the Dodgers 13-12. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Nov 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) celebrates with teammates Jose Altuve (27) , Alex Bregman (2) and Marwin Gonzalez (9) after hitting a two-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning in game seven of the 2017 World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

The Astros had the most potent offense in the majors this year and just three fewer wins than the Dodgers but in the playoffs their hitters have failed to consistently showcase the identity they forged in the regular season.

They have started to look much more like themselves since their bats came alive in the latter stages of a wild Game Two, however. A game where they rallied late with four home runs to win.

"I think they're a great team," said Kershaw. "They have a lot of guys that swing the bats really well."

Kershaw, who has often struggled in the playoffs, took a big step in rewriting his postseason legacy when he got the better of the Astros in Game One where the left-hander struck out 11 over seven innings at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw said that Sunday could not come soon enough.

"It's almost more nerve-wracking watching on the bench, because you feel a little bit helpless and you want us to have success so bad. So there's that part of it," said Kershaw.

"But other than facing the same team again in an (American League) park and trying to figure out what to change, what not to change, how to change approaches, things like that, other than that the mindset is just about the same." (Editing by Peter Rutherford; )